Posted by Penny Cropper on July 21, 2010
A celebration of the sung and unsung heroes we adore the guts out of. Gary Bigeni, as recommended by favourite folk #1 Tanya Stevanovic.
Dubbed “the one to watch” going into his debut at Fashion Week 2010, Gary Bigeni is turning heads in the Australian fashion world. Having previously designed for Josh Goot and already stocked at iconic Sydney boutique The Corner Shop – owned by his mentor, Belinda Seper – Bigeni is no stranger to success. But at just 29, he is eccentric, adorable and, in fact, only just getting started.
A Sydney native and graduate of East Sydney TAFE, Bigeni says designing is in his genes, and he has been doing what comes naturally for as long as he can remember.
“I was always creating things as a kid; I went from high school to design school then straight into starting my own label. I used to have a collection of Barbies that I used to design and make hand-sewn garments for – all day, every day. I was never happy with the options Barbie had. It has always been in my blood to create pieces for people to wear.”
Of his designs, Gary says his secret is in the detail.
“I design art forms that have their own clever structural secrets: soft but tricky hems, interesting panelling and intricate design techniques are present in every element of my collections. My vision is to create new shapes and interesting silhouettes. I draw a lot of inspiration from everyday life.”
Although the trademark Bigeni craftsmanship is present, as ever, in his SS-10 collection, Gary says the range is very different to previous years.
“I only wanted to offer colours in the collection and take out black to give it a fresh approach. I also introduce more woven and tailored elements to offer different textures and fabrication. The shapes are more to the body.”
gary bigeni, fashion week 2010, SS-10, design, fashion